Explore scales · Bass
C acoustic scale on bass guitar
C acoustic contains C, D, E, F♯, G, A, B♭. Box 3 keeps the root on string 4, fret 8 for a mid-neck run.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the C acoustic scale on bass?
C acoustic in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 11 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to B♭ on the G string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
| 2 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 1 (G) | 0, 2, 3 | G, A, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
C acoustic in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 11 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the E string at fret 2 up to C on the G string at fret 5. The root falls on the A string at fret 3 and the G string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
| 3 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
| 2 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (G) | 2, 3, 5 | A, B♭, C |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
C acoustic in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 10 notes across 4 strings, from A on the E string at fret 5 up to D on the G string at fret 7. The root falls on the E string at fret 8 and the G string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 3 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7, 8 | G, A, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
C acoustic in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 8 notes across 4 strings, from C on the E string at fret 8 up to F♯ on the G string at fret 11. The root falls on the E string at fret 8 and the D string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 3 (A) | 9, 10 | F♯, G |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 1 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
C acoustic in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 9 notes across 4 strings, from D on the E string at fret 10 up to G on the G string at fret 12. The root falls on the D string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 3 (A) | 10, 12, 13 | G, A, B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 1 (G) | 11, 12 | F♯, G |
Why it sounds like that
C acoustic is the fourth mode of G melodic minor, built 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7. The ♯4 creates a tritone against the root, and the ♭7 removes the leading tone. Compare it to C mixolydian, which lowers the ♯4 to a perfect 4th.
When to use it
C acoustic fits C major and C 5th chords, and works over C7 in jazz-blues. The ♯4 adds a Lydian colour over dominant chords; resolve it to the 5th for a smooth line. Use it for fusion or modal rock in C.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 3 first: the root sits on string 4, fret 8, covering frets 5–8. It places the ♯4 on string 3 for easy bends.
Common questions
What notes are in C acoustic?
C acoustic contains C, D, E, F♯, G, A, B♭. The formula is 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7.
Which chords does C acoustic fit?
C acoustic fits C major and C 5th chords. It also works over C7 in dominant contexts.
Is C acoustic the same as C mixolydian?
No. C acoustic has a ♯4 (F♯), while C mixolydian has a perfect 4th (F). The other six notes are identical.